Chapter Summary: The Quest for the Prophets continues...
Chapter Word Count: 5,242
The Canyon base library was a short walk from the control center. It wasn't as large as the Heart libraries. Andy suspected it would only take a day or two to search it. Ginny and Harry were wandering aimlessly in the small space, keeping an eye on Memo and Romana.
"Lady Shadow! What brings you here?" Harry said, sounding surprised. "And Lady Air!"
"Curiosity," Brittany said. "How are the two of you doing with your charges?"
"They've been behaving themselves," Ginny said, winking at Andy.
"Good," Brittany said. "We need to get back," she said to Andy. "Make sure to come see me before you go back out. And your family."
"Of course," Andy said.
After escorting Brittany and Santana out to the Lucia, Andy joined Miranda and the others in the library, though Ixchel was still exploring the sector viewer.
"How much longer do you want to spend here?" Andy said, meeting with all of them several hours later, before heading back to the Lucia for dinner.
"This seems to contain mostly technical manuals," Memo said. "A few works of fiction but mostly things you might want to read to maintain the base."
"Most of the science is beyond our current science," Romana said. "We just don't have the background to understand it. But some of it is practical."
"Was there anything about the mapping system?" Ixchel said. "It's very fascinating. I'd like to know how they accomplish it."
"It's mostly crystal based," Miranda said. "I can feel it resonating, like the Gates themselves. But I'm unable to detect how it gets its information."
"There must be probes and sensors scattered all over the sector," Ginny said. "Something that is collecting that information."
"It appears to be displaying in real time," Ixchel said.
"We don't have anything to match it," Harry said, sighing. "Maybe the Prophets will give us a clue."
"It's all in the Furling libraries," Memo said. "We just aren't adept enough at searching for it yet."
"The Serpent Clan has permission to make use of the libraries," Miranda said. "I'm sure some clever person will figure it out eventually."
"I think this has been a successful visit so far," Andy said. "We've gotten parts so the base Gate can be fixed, so it can be visited without needing a ship, and Fleet will get their own connection to that sector map."
"Where to next?" Ginny said. "Back to Prophet hunting?"
"We don't really have any clues about where to find them," Harry said. "They aren't mentioned in anything we've found in the libraries. Their disappearance is just too recent."
"We can't just run around aimlessly," Andy said. "That doesn't get us anywhere."
"Are there any other libraries we haven't searched?" Ixchel said. "The Furling can't have the only ones?"
"They are supposed to be the ones who took the Prophets away," Memo said. "Who else would have the information?"
"We have everything the Confederation archives have on both the Prophets and the Furling," Andy said. "We've hit a possible dead end."
"So then what?" Harry said.
"The Prophets are supposed to provide some kind of clue for a way to defeat the Kraal, but not the silver bullet itself," Andy said.
"Start visiting the other Clans?" Harry said. "You've been to the Wind Clan, and Ice Clan, there are still a few left who might have records hidden away."
"They aren't going to tell us anything," Ginny said. "Once the Kraal pass through our sector they'll disappear into the black for another millennia. The other Clans have already had their own encounters and probably are hoping we get squashed."
"Well, we aren't going to get squashed," Andy said. "The Fleet and the Shadows can handle the Kraal. But every thing we can do to take some of the pressure off will help."
"Handle barely," Harry said. "A lot of our family and friends will not survive this unless we can do something."
"We need to pull a rabbit out of a hat," Andy said, sighing. "But where's the hat?"
"Maybe what we need to do is pull the hat out of the rabbit?" Miranda said, frowning.
"What do you mean?" Andy said.
"Possibly we've been going about this all wrong," she said. "We believe that the Furling, the Winter Folk, were involved in the disappearance of the true Wind Clan Prophets. All that they left behind were the Seers."
"And the Seers are never very clear," Memo said. "There are multiple ways to interpret anything they say. Scholars have become famous explaining things a Seer has said."
"Maybe it's time to go to the source?" Miranda said. "Where do Prophets get their information from?"
"The Gods," Memo said. "But you said you've already communicated with them."
"Not all of them," Miranda said. "There are others. Whether they'll be helpful or not is a different issue. They rarely care for our concerns, except the few who have adopted mortals."
"Isn't that extremely dangerous?" Andy said. "And where would you find them? Assuming they want to talk with us."
"There are a few avenues I can pursue," Miranda said.
"By yourself?" Andy said.
"Yes," Miranda said.
"I'm not sure I like that," Andy said "How do we come along?"
"It's not possible," Miranda said. "Not in your physical form."
"I'd have to ascend if I wanted to go with you?" Andy said, frowning.
"You aren't ready for that," Miranda said. "Possibly in a few centuries, but not now. Not yet."
"No, I have too much to do," Andy said. "Is there any other way?"
"There are rumors of an entrance to the underworld in Blue Clan territory," Memo said. "But I've been unable to verify it." She shrugged.
"At the moment, Blue Clan territory is off limits," Garnes said, over the ship's comm. "If they found us there it would cause an incident, if they didn't just shoot us down. Their AI are not cooperating."
"Let's avoid that then," Andy said. "Where else? There must be other ways to contact these gods?"
"If we knew their names they could be summoned, yes?" Ixchel said. "Or is that unreliable?"
"Have any of us every done something like this?" Andy asked. No one spoke but they all shook their heads. "That isn't good. And isn't it magic, which is rare in our reality?"
"Yes," Miranda said. "After a fashion. But it would be ritual magic, which should work here. It relies on a relationship between the god and the person calling them."
"Our personal Jesus?" Andy said, snorting. "I'm an alien, apparently, and don't have a personal relationship with any godly being. Well, other than you, Miranda."
"I am not a deity," Miranda said. "Of any sort. Being able to manipulate energy is a useful ability but there is a lot more to being a god or goddess than simple tricks."
"Like having prophets and a priesthood?" Harry said. "You have a priestess, and acolytes. And even worshippers."
"Who?" Andy said. "Should I be jealous?"
"Only if you stretch the point beyond something reasonable," Miranda said, obviously displeased with the direction of the conversation. "I have no desire to be worshipped by anyone."
"Too late," Harry said. "There are thousands of Runway readers out there who worship you."
Miranda sighed, shaking her head. "That is not the same thing," she said. "A true deity will gain something from their worshippers. All I get is a headache."
"You underestimate how people feel about you babe," Andy said, smirking.
"It doesn't matter," Miranda said. "This is not getting us any closer to finding the Prophets, or finding someone who can communicate with whomever may have them."
"So, just randomly pick a direction?" Andy said. "Seems as good an idea as any."
"Only if randomly means heading towards some surface that contains an older civilization that might be on good terms with their deities."
"I know just the place," Ginny said. "We ran into it last year while on a mission with the JJs. It has obvious signs of some deity making their home there but we've never actually seen them."
"Sure, why not," Andy said. "We need to start somewhere."
"It's far off the beaten path," Harry said. "Only Lady Shadow and the JJs know about it."
"That isn't exactly a ringing endorsement," Andy said. "Where is it?"
"It doesn't have a name," Ginny said. "Once you name something it has to go in all of the appropriate records. This is something else."
"Coordinates?" Garnes said.
"Third star to the right and straight on till morning," Harry said. "Though it might be hard to hide a ship like the Lucia in a place like that."
"Real directions," Garnes said. "None of those terms from your fevered minds."
"Sure," Harry said, sighing. "You're taking the fun out of it all."
"Is it shielded?" Andy asked.
"It wasn't," Ginny said.
"What's special about it?" Andy asked.
"Beyond the presence of multiple deities?" Harry said. "On a small out of the way planet? Nothing. Even the fanatics pass right by it."
"We need to head back to the Lucia," Andy said. "We can keep discussing this once we're on board."
"And after Andrea spends some time with her mother," Miranda said. "Then we can find this mysterious planet."
"Of course," Harry said. "We're all packed, just waiting for the word to move out."
"We aren't leaving anything behind," Andy said. "No idea when we'll be back."
"Liftoff in ten," Garnes said. "What's our first stop?"
"Andrea needs at least two hours to speak with her mother," Miranda said. "In person."
"Not my idea," Andy grumbled. "We'll be back in a few months. Not sure what the hurry is."
"Unless you want to upset your mother, there is no choice," Miranda said.
"What will everyone else be doing?" Andy asked. "I'm sure she wants a private conversation."
"We'll think of something," Garnes said. "There's plenty to do before we leave the system."
"Swab the decks!" Ginny said.
"Polish all the brass," Harry said. "Plenty of things to do so we don't look like vagabonds. Or hauling junk."
"Ships require maintenance," Dart said. "You can help keep the Lucia clean."
"I'm sure we can find other things for you to do," Garnes said. "Five minutes," she added.
"Everything is tied down, including us," Andy said, looking around the chamber. "Ready when you are."
"Undocking," Garnes said.
"Docking bay doors open," Oz said. "Monitoring commencing."
Horace greeted them when they entered the farmstead underground docking area.
"I'll keep them out of trouble while you talk with your mother," he told Andy. "Off you go."
"Hi, Mom," Andy said, stepping into the kitchen. "You wanted to see me before we head out?"
"Yes, yes," her mother said. "And Miranda can join us, she doesn't need to skulk about pretending to not be here. Some of this concerns her also."
"You can tell she's here?" Andy said, surprised.
"Interesting," Miranda said, materializing. "Andrea can sense when I'm nearby. Is this a Sachs ability?"
"Aunt Sue did mention something about special abilities," Andy said. "Was that what she was talking about?"
"Your Aunt Sue has an interesting history," her mother said. "She doesn't talk about it but she has some interesting abilities herself, for which the family is extremely grateful. But you'll have to ask her about that herself."
"You know that she trained several of the Serpent Clan Council," Andy said. "Back when they were teenagers."
"She might have mentioned her prized cheerleaders, yes," Andy's mother said, her lips twitching in amusement. "There is a reason we have agreed to speak with them so soon. But that really has nothing to do with what we need to discuss, at the moment."
"And it involves Miranda also?" Andy said.
"As family, yes it does, very much so," she said. "Let's take this into the den."
Andy and Miranda followed her mother out of the kitchen and down the hall into the small bookshelf lined room.
Andy and Miranda sat on the small loveseat against one wall. Her mother perched on the large wing backed chair that dominated the room.
"I had thought about what I would tell you about this, long before you were born," she began. "When I had this talk with my own mother, in fact. But I never expected the circumstances to be so different."
"You are much older than you appear," Miranda observed. "Is that part of it?"
"Oh my, yes," Andy's mother said, smiling. "Although the knowledge of our language has faded, we have adapted to living among the people of this planet. And concealing our true ages is part of it. We don't often live as long as our Furling ancestors but that is a conscious choice for many of us."
"How old are you, if I may ask," Miranda asked.
"By the accounting of the Family, I am barely middle aged," Andy's mother said. "But in planetary terms, five hundred years."
"That's... that's a lot, Mom," Andy blurted out. "And that is middle aged?"
"More or less," she said. "The ancient Furlings could live for several millennia. I've never met any of them myself but my great grandmother could recall meeting one of the Eldest when she was a little girl."
"So, the Furling who took away the Prophets could still be alive," Andy said. "Good to know."
"Possibly," her mother said, "but I can't tell you. If they passed through here it was before my time."
"There's nothing in the base logs," Andy said. "If they did, they didn't tell anyone."
"You can discuss that with your father," her mother said. "He may have insight into that. His branch of the family was more involved with the other races. Mine has been more concerned with the preservation of our presence in this area."
"But no spaceships?" Andy said.
"Until the Gate in the base shut down, we had access to our base on Mars. There is a small craft stationed there. Though it may require maintenance after being unused for so long. Once the Gate is functional again one of the Cousins will look into it," she said.
"So, you would use the Gates? What about the older Gate System?" Andy asked.
"It's been a while since anyone has gone through it," her mother said, frowning. "There are warnings not to use it except in an emergency. How do you know about it?"
"It's a long story," Andy said. "But you remember when Miranda disappeared?" She unconsciously gripped Miranda's hand.
"Yes, and that story you gave to explain her reappearance didn't quite add up. As far as I am aware, the Clans weren't active in that area."
"No, but it made a convenient excuse," Andy said. "What really happened was that her plane encountered one of those natural holes in reality. Lady Shadow encountered research about them and connected the dots. We went after her."
"That is very dangerous," her mother said. "If you aren't prepared it can be fatal. The Families only attempt the journey with suitably equipped craft. None of which we have available," her mother said. "I am glad you were able to retrieve Miranda but it was very dangerous."
"Not going to argue," Andy said, grimacing. "I'd rather not do it again, though the Potter twins and the JJs had a blast."
"They are conditioned to take such risks," Miranda said. "Time flows much differently in that reality. I had been there a number of years before Andrea showed up to rescue me."
"They had Goa'uld, and Ancients, but the Furling were only a myth," Andy said. "But a really extensive Gate system. How it happened I can't really say but we somehow ended up back in this reality when going through a Gate."
"Ah, one of those realities," her mother said. "There are at least a half dozen of them that have been mapped. The Families originated in one of them. I don't know if our original home reality even exists anymore or is accessible from this one."
"The Ancients there interfered," Miranda said. "They did not approve of my presence, I suspect."
"That sounds like them, from what I've heard," Andy's mother said. "But we're getting off track. This is interesting but we have other things to discuss."
"You looked a lot younger when I was growing up," Andy said.
"I had just rejuvenated," her mother said. "We have several other forms, though it takes training to access them now. By changing into one of the other forms for a long period of time it resets the biological clock on this form."
"Would one of those forms look like a Tolkien elf?" Andy said.
"That's right, you mentioned encountering a Furling youngling," her mother said. "Some of the Families do have an affinity for that form. Those of us residing on this planet, in any reality, in general adopted a human form. But there are others."
"How do you change forms?" Andy asked. "The girl gave me this." She held up the ring she had been given and had shown her father earlier.
"Your father mentioned it. May I see it?" Andy handed it to her. "Ah, it appears to be the same metal as the cup. It probably doesn't hold much of a charge."
"The cup?" Andy said.
"It can be used to change forms," her mother said. "We won't have time right now for me to teach you how to use it. I suspect you will be gone for several months. We can do that when you get back."
"So, this is all interesting, but it could have waited," Andy said. "Why did you want to see us. Other than to tell me I'll probably live a lot longer than I thought."
"As you may have noticed, the base Guardian refers to me as the Matriarch," her mother said, grimacing. "It, unfortunately, is not just an honorific. The leadership of the Family tasked with manning this outpost is matrilineal. At some point, as my only daughter, it will fall to you. The training usually begins at thirty five, when the Families consider you an adult. It may be centuries before you need this knowledge, I don't plan to die or leave any time soon, but as my heir you have some responsibilities."
"So, someday I'll have to live in Ohio on top of a secret lair?" Andy said. "Can't one of the Cousins do it?"
"No," Andy's mother said. "There is a genetic component to it. The Cousins are Family, of course, but they are not full Furling which has certain ramifications."
"Such as?" Andy asked. "Other than occasionally being annoying, they seem normal to me."
"They cannot travel through the different realities," her mother said. "The explanation is really too complicated to discuss now but they are basically stuck here."
"So, some day I'll be in charge of all this?" Andy said, waving an arm. "What does that really mean?"
"Now that the Clans have taken up a visible presence in this sector? You are essentially the future ambassador between the Families and the Confederation, such as it is," her mother said.
"You know about the Confederation?" Miranda said.
"I would be a poor leader if I wasn't aware of the other entities that may influence the area," Andy's mother said. "We have not had any contact with them in a very long time but it hasn't been necessary.
"What about the Kraal?" Andy said. "Where do they fit in?"
"We've mainly ignored them," she said. "I don't believe they've gotten this close in the past. If they did there is no record of them. They appear to have a hive mind, from what little information I was able to find. Point their consciousness away and that takes care of them. I suspect that isn't going to be adequate for the Confederation though."
"No," Andy said. "The Confederation has tasked the Serpent Clan with removing the threat, if possible."
"Passing the buck, as some wit said," Andy's mother said. "Not an uncommon approach. We will assist where possible. After all, we live here also," her mother said. "But I can discuss that with your Clan Council."
"You don't have any problems with us working with them?" Andy asked. "No worries about divided loyalties?"
"You've obviously adopted them," her mother said. "You must see something of value in them. And you're an adult. Just keep in mind that some day you will lead the Families still in this reality so it would be best to avoid doing anything that will negatively affect us."
"I'll keep that in mind," Andy said. "What is Miranda's part in all of this?"
"Given the nature of her change, I have very little concern. She'll likely outlive all of us," her mother said. "I'm more concerned now for her."
"There is no need," Miranda. "We have discussed the possibility."
"We haven't decide on what to do about it but we are discussing it," Andy added.
"I won't interfere then," Andy's mother said. "I'll let you go and rescue your crew from your father," she said. "He can get very enthusiastic at times." She stood up.
Hugging her mother, Andy said. "Thanks for trusting us with this," she whispered.
"It's your future also," her mother said. "Make sure you come visit us when you get back. I'm curious about these Prophets, and any of our People who may be found with them."
"Hey Dad, enjoying yourself?" Andy said, stepping next to her father where he was gesturing wildly, the others listening raptly. "A new audience?"
"Your father was telling us about the time you led a revolution at your grade school," Ixchel said.
"Dad!" Andy said. "Don't believe anything he's told you," she added.
"She was so cute dressed up like Chez Guavera," Horace said.
"And I would have succeeded if it hadn't been for the principal," Andy said.
"Maybe some other time," Miranda said. "But I believe we have a schedule to keep to."
"But it's just getting good," Ginny said. "And excellent bribery material."
"My childhood is not blackmail material," Andy said, sighing. "And we do have to get going, unless you want to stay here?"
"And miss all the adventure?" Ginny said. She jumped to her feet and grabbed Harry and pulled her to her feet. "Come on everyone. Adventure awaits!"
Shaking her head, Andy watched the others climb back into the Lucia, after waving goodbye to her father. Miranda waited in the hatch for her.
"Take care of yourself, Andy," her father said. "Come back in one piece."
"That's the plan," Andy said. "Not sure when we'll be back." Leaning over she gave him a hug before joining Miranda. Giving him a wave, she closed the hatch. "Time to go?"
"Time to go," Miranda said.
"I have no idea where we're going next," Andy said. "The Prophets are still out there, but where?"
"As I said, I have a few ideas," Miranda said, as they headed to the control chamber.
"Where to Lady A?" Garnes asked, waiting for them.
"Do we need anything from the Fleet?" Andy asked.
"We have clearance to leave," Garnes said. "We're fully stocked up and ready to head out."
"Good. Let's get back out there," Andy said. "We still have to find the Prophets. Head towards Blue Clan territory for now."
"Aye, Lady A," Garnes said. Turning towards her control console she announced over the ship's comm, "Prepare for planetary departure."
Andy and Miranda joined the others in the Lucia acceleration chamber and strapped down.
"Where are we going?" Ixchel asked, watching them.
"Miranda has several ideas for finding the Prophets," Andy said. "I have a hunch that we need to head in the direction of Blue Clan's sector to start with."
"Blue Clan? Didn't their AI take over after the Bugs almost wiped them out?" Ginny said.
"Yes," Andy said. "I suspect there was a reason that no one knows about. We should get to their border in several days."
"We need to borrow that long range scout the Shadow's have," Harry said.
"We wouldn't all fit," Ginny said. "It only has room for a pilot and two crew."
"So, Garnes, you and me," Harry said. "Everyone else can follow the Lucia."
"None of us are qualified pilots," Andy said. "So that wouldn't work."
"You have Oz, I bet he could pilot," Ginny said.
"I am certainly technically able to pilot the Lucia," Oz said gruffly, "but I am not certified to and do not have access to the Lucia's control systems."
"It was just a thought," Ginny said. "So, off to Blue Clan to interrogate some AIs?"
"If we can convince them not to shoot first," Andy said cheerfully. "I suspect we really don't want to sneak around behind their backs."
"They are not known for their sense of humor," Oz said. "Or ability to understand subtle nuances. They may shoot first."
"That won't be fun," Harry said. "I'd rather not get my suit singed. It's hard to get that off."
"Now in transit," Garnes said. "You may unstrap and get up."
"Need to go check our suits," Ginny said, pulling Harry out of the cabin with her.
"How long will it take to find the Prophets?" Memo said.
"There will be signs of them in the upper planes once we get close," Miranda said. "They'll have connections to certain entities and should be trackable from there."
"So you're going to meditate your way to them?" Andy asked. "How can we help?"
"It may require a group effort to connect to them," Miranda said. "We'll have to see."
"Why haven't you suggested this before?" Andy asked.
"There is no guarantee that it will work," Miranda said. "Searching for the Furling who seemed to have hidden them away seemed a simpler option."
"But they don't seem to know of the Prophets," Andy said. "Whomever took the Prophets did so, without it being recorded. Leaving only rumors behind."
"I suspect it was not an official kidnapping," Miranda said. "Whomever took them didn't want them found later."
"The Prophets make things too easy," Memo said. "Even the Seers still require some action. The Prophets could do more than predict a course of action. They could guarantee it happening. That is why my people have come to rely so much on the Seers. They aren't prophets but they give the same air of inevitability. To our detriment."
"Well, why try to figure something out if you have someone telling you what will work," Ixchel said. "The Goa'uld had a similar problem. While they did not have Seers or prophecies, they do have the memories of all who came before them so they have no wonder, and already know how to do things."
"Doesn't sounds like a life I would want to have," Andy said. "Sounds like a crippling case of deja vu."
"That is one way to describe it," Miranda said. "The Ancients in that reality also had problems with having too much knowledge. They believed that they already knew how others would react to events, and would work to make things happen as they had predicted."
"So, literally self fulfilling prophecies," Andy said. "Hopefully these Prophets are not a dead end and can help us."
"The Seer who predicted we would find them... and learn of the Furling from them. Haven't we already found the Furling, but not the Prophets?" Ixchel said. "Does that negate the prophecy?"
"Well, we haven't found the Furling who took away the Prophets," Andy said. "So it probably still applies."
"Prophecies can vary in accuracy," Memo said. "The reliability of Seer Saito has not been measured yet. She's too new."
"So don't bet on anything she says, even though she might be correct?"
"Yes," Memo said. "Depending on prophecy can lead to stagnation, as I have mentioned before. The Wind Clan needs something to shake it out of its complacency. The Kraal did not accomplish that."
"When you return, you may be able to pry them loose from that stagnation," Miranda said.
"It may be too late," Memo said. "But maybe the Prophets will have something helpful to say about it, since it was their disappearance that caused it."
"Possibly," Miranda said. "We will be in our cabin," she said. "We will see you for dinner. Come along Andrea."
"Whatever you say, Miranda," Andy said, smirking.
Closing the door to their cabin, Miranda said, "we don't have time for that, maybe later."
"There's plenty of time for that," Andy said.
"No, unfortunately," Miranda said. "If we wish to contact the Prophets when we reach Blue sector, it will take some preparation."
"Meditation?" Andy said, sighing.
"Of a sort," Miranda said. "Similar to when we met the People of Lea, we need to be able to do it together."
"Okay, so take a nap and dream together?" Andy said. "That's what happened before, except I had that little thing."
"That shouldn't be needed," Miranda said. "Come here," she said, lying down on their bed.
"Not the same place," Andy said, looking around. "Where are we exactly? There's nothing here."
"On one of the upper planes," Miranda said. "It reflects only what you want it to. For example, if I wanted a rose, I would envision one and it would appear." Holding out her right hand, a red rose appeared on it. "Like so." She handed it to Andy.
"It even smells like a rose," Andy said, lifting it to her nose. "Can anyone do that?"
"With practice," Miranda said.
"How does that relate to finding the Prophets," Andy said. "Can we just wish them here?"
"Not exactly," Miranda said, "but with practice we should be able to find them from this plane by wishing for directions to their presence."
"Not sure I get that," Andy said. "We're going to wish them into existence? Or just wish for a map to them?"
"A direction," Miranda said. "Another example may help." She closed her eyes for a moment. A ball of yarn appeared with individual threads going off in several directions.
"Pretty," Andy said, "but what is it?"
"Each thread leads to someone we know," Miranda said. "If they are on this plane or another close plane, the thread will lead to them."
"Lead to them in the real world or to whatever plane they may be on?"
"Everyone has some presence on one of the planes," Miranda said. "Most aren't aware of it, and some of these planes are slightly out of phase with the real world so you can't connect to them through it."
"That doesn't sound simple," Andy said. "So, if they are here, and you said everyone has a presence on one of these planes even if they don't know it, and we can't connect to them here, how does that help us?"
"In the case of the Prophets, if they are aware of us on their plane, they should lead us to them," Miranda said.
"Not sure I understand that completely," Andy said. "But okay. We'll see them here somewhere, they'll notice us peeking at them, and will know to lead us to them in the real world?"
"Close enough," Miranda said. "But first you need to be able to influence this plane."
"Like that rose you created?" Andy said.
"Yes," Miranda said.
"How do I start?" Andy said. "I can meditate but this isn't close to that is it?"
"It's another kind of mental state," Miranda said. "It just appears more solid."